Karl: We deserved more than a point

1 January 2014

mkdons.com

Manager Karl Robinson believes his side deserved to take more than a point away from their New Year's Day clash with Colchester United.

The Dons were held to a goalless draw in their first game of 2014 despite having the majority of possession and chances. Dale Jennings, Patrick Bamford and Darren Potter all went agonisingly close for Robinson’s side, while Daniel Powell had the chance of the game in injury-time but his fierce shot hit both the post and the underside of the bar.

Although the men from MK1 slip to 11th in Sky Bet League 1 with the result, they do close the gap on the playoff places to just six points. Robinson, though, feels it should have been much better than that.

Speaking after the game, the 33-year-old Dons boss said: “I thought we deserved a lot more than what we got out of the game. I was pleased with how patient we were and how good we looked at times. We were far superior and dominant and that’s not being disrespectful to the opposition because they are a good side.

“Credit to Colchester, they came here with a game plan and stuck to it. They never got carried away, they never came out of holes and they never had any clear cut opportunities.

“There are positives we can take out of this; a clean sheet, the amount of chances we created and there were a large parts of our football today that were very, very good.

“I thought Samir Carruthers played really well and I thought the subs came on and made a difference, especially Daniel Powell who asked questions of their defence. Our fans were also really good and, of course, the staff who filled in for me did brilliantly and I’m thankful for that.

“I couldn’t have asked for anymore from anybody at the Football Club today.”

Today’s game, while being the first for the Club this calendar, was loan striker Patrick Bamford’s final home bow before returning to Chelsea on January 5th.

After the final whistle, the majority of the Dons supporters stayed behind to show their appreciation for the 20-year-old, who has netted 16 goals for the side this season, and Robinson praised their fans for their ‘classy’ actions.

He added: “Patrick was a little bit embarrassed, I think, so Lewie pushed him out of the group to go and take the applause. It was nice and I think it’s something that he’ll remember forever, whatever he does in his career. He’ll always remember that standing ovation he got.

“We’re a good club, a family club and a classy club in the way we go about all of our business and I think the send off for Patrick was a testament to the fans and the respect that they can pay to a player that you’re about to lose.”